Transparent EL display

Abstract

A transparent EL display screen has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. The screen is mounted within a vehicle interior so that it can be put in a position above the instrument panel and within the normal line of sight of a driver. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its entire parameter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column drivers that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen.

We claim: 
     
       1. A display system, comprising: a panel having a first reconfigurable portion and a second portion;   a panel rim extending along only one side of said panel;   a plurality of row electrodes supported by said panel rim and extending from said rim into said second panel portion at an angle relative to said one panel side and along said panel first portion in a direction generally parallel to said one panel side; and   a plurality of column electrodes supported by said panel rim and extending from said rim into said first panel portion in a direction that is generally perpendicular to said one panel side such that said column electrodes interact with said row electrodes extending through said first panel portion.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein said panel is transparent. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1, wherein said row electrodes comprise conductive traces supported on said panel and wherein a selected number of said traces have a first thickness where said traces extend through said second panel portion and a second thickness where said traces extend through said first panel portion and wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1, wherein said row electrodes extend along said second panel portion along a generally arcuate path and extend along said first panel portion in a generally straight line. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1, wherein there are two of said second panel portions and said first panel portion is positioned between said second portions. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 5, wherein said second panel portions are non-reconfigurable display panel portions each including an icon that is selectively illuminated. 
     
     
       7. A display system for use in a vehicle, comprising: an instrument panel frame within the vehicle;   a support member movably supported by said instrument panel frame for movement relative to said instrument panel;   a display panel having a plurality of pixels and one edge supported by said support member, said display panel being movable into a first viewing position where said display panel is above said instrument panel and a second position;   a plurality of row electrodes extending from said support member and along said display panel; and   a plurality of column electrodes extending from said support member and along at least a portion of said display panel such that said row electrodes and said column electrodes cooperate to illuminate selected pixels on said display panel.   
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7, wherein said display panel is transparent. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 7, wherein said display panel has a first reconfigurable portion and a second portion and wherein said column electrodes extend along said first panel portion. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9, wherein said column electrodes each extend from said support member in a direction generally perpendicular to said one panel edge and along said first panel portion in a generally straight line. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 10, wherein said row electrodes each extend along said first panel portion in a generally straight line in a direction that is generally perpendicular to said direction of said column drivers. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 9, wherein there are two of said second panel portions positioned on opposite sides of said first panel portion and wherein said row electrodes extend from said support member and along one of said second portions in a generally arcuate direction then along said first panel portion and then along the other second panel portion in a generally arcuate direction and toward said support member such that said row drivers each have a first end and an second end supported by said support member. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 7, further comprising a filter positioned generally in line with said display panel when said display panel is in said first viewing position. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 13, wherein said filter comprises a polarizer that is supported on a windshield of the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 7, further comprising a cover member supported on said display panel frame, said cover member being moveable between a closed position when said display panel is in said second position and an open position when said display panel is in said first viewing position.